At least 10 people hurt when United flight hits turbulence near Cancun

A United jet was struck by turbulence due to Tropical Storm Cindy near Cancun. (FIle photo)

HOUSTON — At least 10 people aboard a United Airlines jet were injured Tuesday June 20 when the plane hit turbulence near Cancun during a flight from Panama to Houston, the Associated Press reported.

A Federal Aviation Administration spokesman says the Boeing 737 encountered turbulence about 80 miles east of Cancun. Weather satellite images showed storm clouds in the area in the wake of Tropical Storm Cindy.

Emergency crews were called to George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, where the aircraft landed safely Tuesday afternoon.

A United jet was struck by turbulence due to Tropical Storm Cindy near Cancun. (FIle photo)

A spokeswoman for United Airlines said that nine passengers and one crew member were taken to hospitals for evaluation. The airline did not have information about the extent of their injuries.

In 2016, 44 people — 33 passengers and 11 airline employees — were injured by turbulence, according to the FAA. That was the highest total since 2010.

Airlines are required to report serious injuries and deaths from turbulence, but the FAA does not track less severe injuries from turbulence, which occur in a larger number of incidents.